Hometown Helena Thursday, July 10: Shodair, Rocky Mountain Development Council

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Hometown Helena this Thursday, July 10: Shodair, Rocky Mountain Development Council

July 8, 2025


Hey Y’All,


Here’s hoping everyone had a fun, safe Independence Day last week. The celebration at Centennial Park was another grand event this year. Same for the fireworks in East Helena, despite the much-needed rain we received that afternoon.

We are the midst of what looks to be a serious fire season in Montana. I believe Sheriff Dutton has issued the ’No Burning’ order? Perhaps he and Matt Ferrell from the Forest Service can give us an update this week? Regardless, please be safe and fire-conscious if you are in the woods.


Indian Tacos at the Capitol got off to a great start this week. The line was long at 11:30 that morning. It’s a great lunch at a very reasonable price. Every Monday in July. All the proceeds go to support the Last Chance Community Pow Wow at the end of September.


The Montana History Conference is also scheduled for the end of September (Sept. 25-27). Among many other events, lectures and tours there’s an Opening Reception at the new Montana Heritage Center on Thursday evening (9-25). The Heritage Center will be nearly completed by the end of September. This will be a rare and special opportunity to see the galleries, exhibits, archives reference room and other attractions.


We’re back to our regular doings at Hometown Helena this week after taking a week off to celebrate the 4th of July. We have two very special guests and presentations arranged for you this week: Shodair Childrens Hospital and Rocky Mountain Development Council.  


Shodair began as a home for orphaned and abandoned children in 1896. The 'Orphan Trains' used to come through Helena. My old friend Utah Phillips, the Golden Voice of the Great Southwest, wrote a very poignant song called 'The Orphan Train.' I’ve included the lyrics at the end of this week’s message.


Alana Listoe, Community Relations Director at Shodair, will discuss the Hospital’s newest publication with his this week: ’The Bison and the Firefly.’ This book is a key part of the Hope Campaign, and the Hope and Thunder Days, which will happen July 31-August 1 at Shodair.


Rocky Mountain Development Council has been operating in Helena, and the Tri-County area, for 60 years, since 1965. Lori Ladas, C.P.A. serves as the Executive Director of RMDC. Lori will discuss the agency’s history, programs and services with us this week.


Please plan to join us this Thursday at Helena College for these two informative and interesting guests and presentations. Or, zoom into the meeting. And as always our thanks to Aja Rail and Pinion for their help and support.


Jim Smith

406-949-1002

ORPHAN TRAIN by Utah Phillips

Once I had a darling mother, though I can't recall her name

I had a baby brother who I'll never see again

For the Children's Home is sending us out on the Orphan Train

To try to find someone to take us in

cho: Take us in, we have rode the Orphan Train

Take us in, we need a home, we need a name

Take us in, oh won't you be our kin

We are looking for someone to take us in

I have stolen from the poorbox, I've begged the city streets

I've swabbed the bars and poolrooms for a little bite to eat

In my daddy's old green jacket and these rags upon my feet

I've been looking for someone to take me in

The Children's Home they gathered us, me and all the rest

They taught us to sit quietly until the food was blest

Then they put us on the Orphan Train and sent us way out West

To try to find someone to take us in.

The farmers and their families they came from miles around

We lined up on the platform of the station in each town

And one by one we parted like some living lost-and-found

And one by one we all were taken in

Now there's many a fine doctor or a teacher in your school

There's many a good preacher who can teach the Golden Rule

Who started out an orphan sleeping in the freezing rain

Whose life began out on the Orphan Train.

July 17

  • Prickly Pear Housing Alliance

  • Plans for 250th Anniversary of Independence Day


July 24

  • City of Helena Public Works

  • YWCA Rise and Shine Breakfast


July 31

  • Many Rivers Whole Health, AWARE


Aug 7

  • Build MT - Montana Contractors Association

  • AFL/CIO, AFSCME, MFPE


Aug 14

  • County Roads

  • Prickly Pear Land Trust


Aug 21

  • Benefis

Announcement period is from 7:00 to 7:15.

Please limit announcements and comments to 2 minutes.

Hometown Helena - Thursday, July 10th, 7 a.m. @ Helena College & Live via ZOOM hosted by Pinion:

  • Alana Listoe, Shodair

  • Lori Ladas CPA, Rocky Mountain Development Council

  • Online Meeting Instructions: Please keep your phone or microphone muted during the meeting and note that your camera may be on depending on your ZOOM settings. Please "raise your hand" at the start of the meeting if you will have an opening update or introduction.


  • In-Person Announcements: Please plan on approaching the front of the room to make announcements directly to our host so online attendees can hear. There is time at the beginning of the meeting for announcements. Please limit announcements and comments to 2 minutes.


  • View Program Recording: Hometown Helena is recorded and posted at HometownHelena.news, typically within a day.


  • Hometown Email List: This private email list is not shared. You can join or update your email information at HometownHelena.news or by clicking the button below.

The Hometown Helena Team is Jim Smith, Rick Hays, Kelly Cresswell, Emily McVey, Tom McGree, Peter Strauss, Ann Waickman, Haley McKnight and Matt Elsaesser

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